Roman Numeral Analysis: Seventh Chords
  • In addition to triads, the Roman numeral analysis system also identifies diatonic seventh chords.
  • Let's discover these analysis symbols of the major and harmonic minor scales.
  • A three step process is used.
  • First, write the analysis symbols for the corresponding diatonic triads.
  • Next, add a small seven.
  • Finally, add a slash through the circle of each half-diminished seventh chord.
  • Some theorist use a variation of this system.
  • They prefer to add an upper-case 'M' to each seventh chord which uses a major seventh.
  • Although we will not use their system, you should be aware of its existence.
  • Next, let's look at inverted seventh chords.
  • The previously-discussed 7 identifies a root position seventh chord.
  • 6 and 5 identify a first inversion seventh.
  • 4 and 3 identify a second inversion seventh.
  • A lone 2 identifies a third inversion seventh chord.
  • Let's arrange the symbols in a different way. Notice anything unusual?
  • The inversion numbers are in numeric order from 7 to 2.
  • You can use this pattern to remember the inversion numbers for seventh chords.
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